Increasing the productivity of underutilized lands by targeting resource conserving technologies-A GIS/remote sensing approach: a case study of Ballia District, Uttar Pradesh, in the eastern gangetic plains

Abstract

The Indo Gangetic Plains (IGP) of South Asia, formed by the fluvial action of the Indus and Ganges River systems, is one of the world’s major food grain producing regions. The region supports some of the most densely populated areas in the world, with more than 300 million people dependent on the predominant rice-wheat cropping system. Satisfying the demands of a growing population, preserving the agricultural natural resource base, and improving livelihoods are huge challenges. There is, however, a significant amount of underutilized land, particularly in the eastern IGP, following the main rice season. If this land was brought into full production, it could substantially improve local food supplies and enhance livelihoods. This case study describes the application of remote sensing/GIS methods to determine accurate distributions and extent of underutilized land in the district of Ballia, eastern Uttar Pradesh. Appropriate resource conserving and productivity enhancing technologies are described that offer promising solutions to the underutilized land problems identified in the study. The methodology described offers great potential for targeting and diffusing technologies in an efficient and effective way, and for assessing their impact. Scaling-up of the techniques and application to a wider area could be readily achieved. Classification of temporal satellite data (IRS LISS III images) permitted the identification of all major categories of underutilized land during the post-rainy rabi season, with an accuracy of approximately 90%. Underutilized land types identified included current fallows, excessive moisture areas, waterlogged areas (tal and chaur lands), salt-affected lands and diara lands (riverside areas). Total underutilized land in 2001–02 covered 76,347 ha, which represented 26.70% of the district’s total cultivable area. Current fallows were the predominant category of underutilized land, accounting for 48% of the total. As well, under-productive, late-planted wheat covered at least 60% of the district wheat area. Earlier planting dates alone, achieved through zero tillage crop establishment, could easily increase district wheat production by 70-75,000 tons. Technology options suited to each category of underutilized land were identified; these included zero tillage, bed planting, surface seeding and boro rice. Outputs from this case study may provide decisionmakers with essential information to successfully plan and deploy appropriate technologies in the most effective manner. Resulting productivity and economic gains from underutilized lands are likely to benefit some of the region’s poorest farmers.